Fund established for flood victims

Funeral arrangements pending for children who drowned.

Funeral arrangements pending for children who drowned.

January 10, 2008|ANITA MUNSON Tribune Staff Writer

Funeral arrangements are pending at Hartzler Funeral Home for Shay Leininger, 5, and Ashley Pruitt, 2, who lost their lives in a flood-related accident Tuesday. Friends of the family have established a fund at Lake City Bank locations throughout Michiana, where contributions may be made to the Greg and Megihann Leininger Family, a bank spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday. Megihann Leininger and three of her children: Mariah Leininger, 4; Michael McDaniel, 1, and Canari Trigg, 3 months, were rescued from the top of the vehicle. Shay and Ashley remained trapped inside the vehicle. Mentone emergency responders first received the call from Kosciusko County dispatch at 8:53 a.m. When they arrived, they found the mother and three of the five children on the roof of their submerged Chevy Tahoe. The car had stalled at County Road 600 North between County Road 825 East and Road 900 East. Swift waters from the surrounding fields engulfed the vehicle in nearly 7 feet of water as the Leininger attempted to rescue all of the children.Staff writer Anita Munson: amunson@sbtinfo.com (574) 936-2920